---
title: "Set up the cloud MCP server"
description: "With the cloud MCP server, you can connect your AI client to mabl without using the mabl CLI. For an overview of server options, see the mabl MCP..."
last_updated: "2026-07-02"
source_url: "https://help.mabl.com/hc/en-us/articles/47299404357780-Set-up-the-cloud-MCP-server"
---

# Set up the cloud MCP server

> For the full index of agent-friendly pages, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

With the cloud MCP server, you can connect your AI client to mabl without using the mabl CLI. For an overview of server options, see the mabl [MCP overview](./mabl-mcp-overview.md).

## Prerequisite

You need an AI client that supports MCP servers, such as Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, or Rovo.

## Setup

The mabl cloud MCP server supports two authentication methods:

- **OAuth** - connect the cloud MCP to your mabl user account, giving you access to any workspace your user belongs to. Uses your mabl login, so you'll occasionally need to re-authenticate, just like with the mabl app. If you're not sure which method to pick, start here.
- **API key** - connect to the cloud MCP through a mabl API key. Access is scoped to the single workspace the key was generated in and persists until the key itself expires or is deleted. Best for agent-to-agent use cases.

### OAuth

### Config

Many AI clients use a JSON configuration file for MCP servers. Use the following config block:

``` language-json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mabl": {
      "url": "https://mcp.mabl.com/mcp",
      "type": "http"
    }
  }
}
```

This configuration creates an MCP server under the name "mabl". You can use a different name if needed. For example, if your organization uses strict security whitelists, corporate proxies, or internal IDE registries, you may need to update the name "mabl" to comply with your organization's whitelisting requirements. If in doubt, check with your internal IT or security team for specific MCP guidelines.

> **Note:**
> **Type string may vary**
>
> Some clients, such as Cursor and Windsurf, use `"type": "streamable-http"` instead of `"type": "http"`. Check your client’s documentation for the expected type string.
>
> For legacy MCP clients that require the dual-endpoint SSE pattern, use this configuration instead: `"type": "sse"` and `"url": "https://mcp.mabl.com/sse"`.

In Claude Code, you can also run the following command in your terminal:

``` language-shell
claude mcp add --transport http mabl https://mcp.mabl.com/mcp
```

Not all clients use JSON configuration. Refer to your AI client’s documentation for specific instructions on adding remote MCP servers.

After adding the server, complete authentication through a browser consent flow:

- **Client-initiated**: Your client may recognize that you aren't logged in and provide a button or prompt to initiate the process.
- **User-initiated**: If your agent doesn't automatically prompt you to authenticate, use a prompt like "Help me authenticate the mabl MCP" to initiate the process.

The cloud MCP will open a browser window to a consent page. Review the details and click **Accept**. At this point, if you aren't already logged into the mabl web app, you'll also need to sign in to mabl.

By default, the cloud MCP server connects to the [primary workspace](https://help.mabl.com/hc/en-us/articles/19078113170708#h_01JB263J0Q7T1WSF7MZKBZNTJW) associated with your mabl user account. If you aren't sure what your default workspace is, ask your client:

> *“What is my default workspace?”*

To list all available workspaces, use the **get_workspaces** tool. For example:

> *“What workspaces do I have access to?”*

To use the mabl cloud MCP tools in a non-primary workspace, provide the name of the workspace or workspace ID when you invoke tools. For example:

> *“Get my recently created tests from the mabl prod tests workspace.”*

### API key

### Config

API key setup authenticates your connection directly. Use the following config block, replacing `YOUR_API_KEY_HERE` with either an "Editor" or "Viewer" type [mabl API key](https://help.mabl.com/hc/en-us/articles/17776006239764):

``` language-auto
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mabl": {
      "url": "https://mcp.mabl.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

This configuration creates an MCP server under the name "mabl". You can use a different name if needed. For example, if your organization uses strict security whitelists, corporate proxies, or internal IDE registries, you may need to update the name "mabl" to comply with your organization's whitelisting requirements. If in doubt, check with your internal IT or security team for specific MCP guidelines.

> **Note:**
> **Type string may vary**
>
> Some clients, such as Cursor and Windsurf, use `"type": "streamable-http"` instead of `"type": "http"`. Check your client’s documentation for the expected type string.
>
> For legacy MCP clients that require the dual-endpoint SSE pattern, use this configuration instead: `"type": "sse"` and `"url": "https://mcp.mabl.com/sse"`.

In Claude Code, you can also run:

``` language-auto
claude mcp add --transport http mabl https://mcp.mabl.com/mcp --header "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
```

If your config file will be checked into version control or shared with others, reference the key from an environment variable instead of pasting it directly. For example, `"x-api-key": "${MABL_API_KEY}"`.

### Claude Desktop

### Config

Using the mabl MCP server in [Claude Desktop](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart/user) requires an actively supported [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en) LTS version, currently version 22 or higher. To check if Node is installed and view the current version, open your terminal or command prompt and run `node -v`.

To add the mabl MCP server in [Claude Desktop](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart/user), open Claude Desktop Settings from your system’s menu bar: **Claude \> Settings…**

![claude_settings.png](https://help.mabl.com/hc/article_attachments/49216274449300)

Accessing settings in Claude

In the **Settings** window, click on the **Developer** tab. Click on **Edit Config** to open the configuration file for Claude Desktop. This action creates or opens the existing `claude_desktop_config.json` file. Depending on your OS, this file is located in one of the following locations:

- macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- Windows: `%APPDATA%Claudeclaude_desktop_config.json`

Claude Desktop currently supports only stdio transport and does not natively connect to remote HTTP endpoints. To use the mabl cloud MCP on Claude Desktop, use a bridge like [mcp-remote](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mcp-remote) to translate between Claude's local stdio and our remote HTTP server. mcp-remote is a third-party open-source package, not maintained by mabl. and requires the stdio bridge.

For OAuth config, add the following to your Claude Desktop's MCP configuration:

``` language-wysiwyg-code-block
"mcpServers": {
  "mabl": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
      "-y",
      "mcp-remote",
      "https://mcp.mabl.com/mcp"
    ]
  }
}
```

For API key auth config, include your API key as a header. To use the following config block, replace `YOUR_API_KEY_HERE` with your [editor or viewer mabl API key](https://help.mabl.com/hc/en-us/articles/17776006239764):

``` language-auto
"mcpServers": {
  "mabl": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": [
      "-y",
      "mcp-remote",
      "https://mcp.mabl.com/mcp",
      "--header",
      "x-api-key:YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
    ]
  }
}
```

Both configurations create an MCP server under the name "mabl". You can use a different name if needed. For example, if your organization uses strict security whitelists, corporate proxies, or internal IDE registries, you may need to update the name "mabl" to comply with your organization's whitelisting requirements. If in doubt, check with your internal IT or security team for specific MCP guidelines.

### Start the server

To confirm the mabl cloud MCP is installed, quick and restart Claude Desktop. When you click on the settings icon at the bottom of the conversation input box, you should see [available MCP tools](./mabl-cloud-mcp-tools.md).

![mabl_mcp_tools_in_claude.png](https://help.mabl.com/hc/article_attachments/49216267132052)

Viewing mabl MCP tools in Claude Desktop

## Next steps

- [mabl MCP tools and prompts](./mabl-cloud-mcp-tools.md) - full reference of available tools and sample prompts.
- [How to interact with the mabl MCP](./how-to-interact-with-the-mabl-mcp.md) - best practices for writing effective prompts.
- [Integrate the mabl MCP with Atlassian Rovo](./integrate-the-mabl-mcp-with-atlassian-rovo.md) - create a custom Rovo Agent in Atlassian with access to mabl MCP tools.